Haslams to light Christmas tree at Tennessee Capitol

Haslams to light Christmas tree at Tennessee Capitol

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Gov. Bill Haslam and his wife, Crissy, are hosting a Christmas tree lighting event at the state Capitol this evening.

The tree will be strung with about 6,000 bulbs and more than 200 ornaments. The University of Tennessee's Institute of Agricultures supplied the 30-foot Norway spruce from the Cumberland Forest in Morgan County.

The tree was originally planted three decades ago as a part of a study into growing growing Christmas tree crops on strip mines. When that study ended in 1985, the tree was moved to stand next to the institute's headquarters near Oliver Springs.

The tree needed to come down because it was blocking sunlight to a nearby research project on hardwood specifies.